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Tag: fall colors

Full circle: load truck-camper, Bryce Canyon, and home

grass trees clouds sunburst Skull Valley ArizonaNot even settled in to my new space in Skull Valley or decompressed from the summer season at Bryce Canyon but it’s time to load the repaired truck-camper, and return to Bryce one more time before I am free to do as I please which included Autumn color on the Kaibab and a nighttime bonus below Vermilion Cliffs.

grass trees mt sunset clouds Skull Valley ArizonaI was feeling perfectly happy hanging out at my new Skull Valley home.  Thinking about trimming a few small and low branches for ease of access and building some steps into the berm.  Ah, nesting.  Something I really haven’t done in a few years since Yarnell.  However, I needed to pack a few things into the backseat and drive to St. George, Utah to load the truck-camper.  And one of the those things was Sierra in a cat carrier in the passenger seat.  Didn’t know what to anticipate from that.

Quail bird Ferguson Valley Rd Skull Valley ArizonaTraffic on Ferguson Valley Road as Mr. Quail waited for the chicks to cross

Sierra cat in carrier Arizona road tripPacked the last minute things, including Sierra, Wednesday morning and hit the road.  She meowed quite a bit at first and I just assured her it would be alright.  Guess she believed me as she soon quietly curled up and went to sleep.

rock cliff Saguaro cactus SR96 West Arizona

brush mts SR97 West Arizona

tower Nothing ArizonaPretty drives on backroads are my favorite and AZ96 & 97 generally west towards Bagdad winds through changing desert then junctions with SR93 north through Nothing.

Dazzos Wikieup ArizonaMade a traditional stop in Wikeiup at Dazzos for a Chicago style Italian Beef sandwich.  The owner died suddenly on Labor Day so not sure what will become of this place.  I couldn’t dawdle as Sierra was in the closed truck cab and with no AC that was getting into the 80s.  I gave her a little water and we were on our way.

Hoover Dam bridge I40 West ArizonaBridge above Hoover Dam

After just a short drive on I40 I opted to continue north on SR93 and take the Lakeshore drive instead of more interstate past Las Vegas.  I try to avoid cities.  Miles about the same, only a wee bit slower with no semis and barely any traffic.

sidemirror Lake Mead Lake Shore Road Nevada

Lake Shore Road North NevadaNot much water left to see in Lake Mead yet I do love the surrounding landscape.  Too soon I was in Overton, Nevada making a beer stop for the camper repairman and back on interstate for the last run north on I15 to St. George.

Virgin River Gorge I15 North Arizona

Virgin River Gorge I15 North ArizonaThe Virgin River Gorge makes this a gorgeous drive.  Made for a long drive when six hours turned into eight.  Sierra was grateful to get out of the carrier and into her larger box, the truck-camper.

aluminum on truckcamper St George UtahWork on the truck-camper moved along quicker than I’d have thought.  Back in June when the decision was made to fix it, Bob the engineer took this as a challenge and project.  You may remember when I dropped the truck-camper at Lynda’s in August knowing the repairs would occur in the fall when temperatures cooled below 100+°.  His idea was to reinforce the front corners with aluminum L brackets and lined underneath with aluminum sheeting.

new wood truckcamper St George Utah

aluminum on truckcamper St George UtahOne side required a little replaced wood.  Not only is it structurally stronger than when it was built 25 years ago but it looks great too.  Bob said good for at least another ten years.  All I could really do to help was hold and fetch.

truckcamper St George UtahIt almost took longer to re-load onto the truck than do the repairs.  Just kidding.  But there is small margin for error loading a truck-camper between the wheel wells that definitely takes two people.  The heavy jacks could be taken off completely and left at home as I don’t plan for this to come off the truck again for a while.

rain fall colors mt SR20 East UtahFriday morning I left early, for me, and drove 2 1/2 hours through mostly rain and lots of wind to Bryce Canyon.  Amazed how much fall color came on in the last week.  The paperwork person did her magic and collected my keys, badges, and the all important PIV card that sometimes got me into government computers.  I signed some papers, got my final evaluation, said goodbyes, and was back on the road in two hours.  And thus, I am no longer employed and officially retired.  Or at least I don’t plan on returning which is all that happens for a seasonal employee.  Bittersweet.  Hard to say goodbye and glad to be leaving.  Especially as the temperature would be dropping with possible snow Saturday night.  And I didn’t plan to be there.

trees sunset clouds Wheel Inn RV Park Fredonia ArizonaSunset from the RV Park

Instead, I drove 1 1/2 hours south to Fredonia through more rain and stayed at the Wheel Inn RV Park, plugged in with heat.  I FEEL FREE!!!!!

Sage Flats & Kaibab Plateau SR89A South ArizonaBy morning I decided to drive up on the Kaibab Plateau to hopefully see fall colors.  I really wanted to camp in the forest but not with temperatures below freezing.  I scored!  Been happening a lot lately.  Maybe that’s because I’m following my bliss.

fall colors Grand Staircase clouds LeFevre overlook SR89A Kaibab National Forest ArizonaStopped at LeFevre overlook with a clear view to the north and brisk wind.  Wonder who I waved to at Yovimpa Point in Bryce at the top of the Grand Staircase.

16 DSCN0526lecwfbr Jacob Lake Inn AZ g-3

Of course a cookie stop at Jacob Lake Inn.  How could I not.  Been way too long.  Fortunately there was very little pawn jewelry to temp me so I only bought two chocolate chip cookies.

Fall colors 2006 Warm Fire Kaibab National Forest Arizona

fall colors Kaibab National Forest ArizonaFrom there I turned south on SR67 like I was headed to the North Rim, but I didn’t plan on going that far.  Wasn’t long before I was pulling over at every wide spot to take photos of the brilliant neon colors of Autumn Aspen all aglow.

fall colors Kaibab National Forest ArizonaHow I needed that fix.

fall colors Kaibab National Forest Arizona

fall colors Kaibab National Forest ArizonaEnded up driving almost 25 miles to the Country Store where I said hi to Robert.  Then turned around and stopped some more.

fall colors Kaibab National Forest ArizonaIf only it wasn’t predicted to be so cold overnight I would gladly have camped amongst all that color.

fall colors Pleasant Valley Kaibab National Forest ArizonaBut the afternoon was waning and I still had to find a camp.

House Rock Valley from SR89A Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAlways stop at the overlook dropping off the east side of the Kaibab Plateau for a marvelous vast view.  And that made me think I could just camp on the BLM land seen down below instead of paying for no hookups if I could get a space at Lee’s Ferry.  The truck-camper is self contained.

Vermilion Cliffs clouds sun rays BLM Hatch Arizona

Vermilion Cliffs clouds BLM ArizonaDefinitely made the right choice there when the setting sun came through the heavy clouds offering a magical light show on the Vermilion Cliffs.

Echo Cliffs sunset clouds BLM ArizonaThe reverse sunset looked like Arizona’s version of the Aurora Borealis over Echo Cliffs to the south.  The night temperature didn’t go below 40.

truck camper RV Echo Cliffs clouds BLM ArizonaNo particular rush in the morning though I had at least a four hour drive ahead.  I wanted to go home but loved the freedom of travel wherever I want.  Yet I also kept an eye on the weather and with cold wind headed my way I sort of made a dash south.

Mt Humphreys SR89 South ArizonaMt Humphreys marked coming into Flagstaff.  Loved the way the mountain is crowned with golden aspen and topped with a bit of snow.  That’s where snow belongs, on top of mountains.  Fueled the truck before town, then stopped for lunch in Ashfork and a few groceries in Chino Valley.  That’s how a four hour drive becomes six.

truckcamper & 5th-wheel Skull Valley ArizonaPulled into my Skull Valley home at 5pm.  Ah, homes sweet homes.

bumper rock collection BLM Vermilion Cliffs ArizonaBumper rock collection BLM Vermilion Cliffs AZ

 

Arizona, Bryce Canyon National Park, Kaibab National Forest, Kaibab Plateau, Places I've been, RV life, Saint George Utah, United States, Utah , , 37 Comments

Making the most of a town run and other sundries

mountains reverse sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaBeing it’s an all day affair to shop because of the distances I try to make the most of a town run and sometimes include a nature photography fix.  And then sometimes, I get lucky with some local dramatic skies.

fall Sumac leaves Coscto Prescott ArizonaLast week I took a friend to an eye appointment in Prescott Valley and discovered Fain Lake Park.  Then on the way home we shopped at Costco.  I was excited to see the brilliant red and orange fall colors at the edge of their parking lot.

red fall Sumac leaves Coscto Prescott ArizonaI figured on getting a good look as I shop faster than my friend.  General consensus is it’s some kind of Sumac and I’m guessing it’s a landscape planting that spreads by roots and helps hold soil on the bank where it’s growing.

tunnel Cottonwood trees Skull Valley ArizonaWe’d come to Prescott on SR89, the White Spar Highway, with it’s slow twisty curves over the Bradshaw Mountains.  I wanted to return the other route, not quite so curvy, on Iron Springs Road, sort of like a loop trail/drive.  Plus this route took us through Skull Valley that has been on my radar because of the large Cottonwoods that snake along the mostly dry washes.  I wanted to see if the leaves were starting to turn yellow.  Took a little side road and had to stop for this glorious tree-tunnel driveway.  Some of these stately Cottonwoods must be over 100 feet tall.  They probably look older than they are because as Poplars they grow fast.  I hope there are saplings in the deep shade to replace them when they inevitably go.

hill trees clouds Yarnell ArizonaSince then, I haven’t been out too much but I always keep my eye on the sky.

mountains reverse sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaLiving surrounded by mountains means an early sunset in Yarnell.  That’s OK because I can often watch sunset twice a night.  Frequently I drive at least part way down the Yarnell Hill for sunset over the valley below.  If there’s no clouds to the west for more than a pale pastel sunset I look to the east for clouds and possible reverse sunset.

mountains reverse sunset clouds Yarnell Arizona

mountains reverse sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaOne night I drove a couple miles away from the house to the top of the Mina Road for the view towards Rich Hill.  Too many clouds for full moon rise.

mountains reverse sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaBut the light show was good and just kept getting better.  Love nights lights like this.

mountains reverse sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaSadly I didn’t capture any of the lightning far to the east.

grass trees sunset clouds crepuscular rays Yarnell ArizonaDid get some nice crepuscular rays to the west after the sun disappeared below the Weaver Mountains.

Antelope Peak reverse sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaI love clouds.  I’m a nepholographer.  There is so much happening in the sky.  Crazy shapes, perfect for the pareidolia in me as well.  I even started a Facebook group for us cloud watching photographers.

cattle Mina Rd Yarnell ArizonaThe next night was clear but the moon rose way past sunset and into the dark.  The downside of mountains making the moon rise later.  Getting chilly after dark.  Again drove the Mina Road, but went a little further hoping for an earlier rise.  Instead I met lots of cattle.  The dirt road is not in good shape and I was driving the Toyota car.

moon set at sunrise Weaver Mountains Yarnell ArizonaWhen it comes to shooting the moon I’m much better at its set in the morning, and not too early.  Plus there’s more light so easier to photograph.

Weaver Mountains sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaSome nights I just walk to the end of the driveway for sunset over the Weaver Mountains.

Well, all this happened last week so I suppose next week will be time for another town run.  Every two weeks shopping seems like enough, a luxury even, because I’m used to driving even further away and only once a month.

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Arizona, Places I've been, Prescott, United States, Yarnell , , 21 Comments

History, Fishing, and Fall at Fain Lake Park

Lynx Creek bouders fall trees Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaKnew I had a couple hours to kill waiting for Jim at his eye doctor so googled parks in Prescott Valley and found Fain Lake Park not too far away.  A little off the beaten path, by no more than maybe two miles from SR69 at the end of 5th St.

map Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaWhite lines are my route

Not at all crowded, this small 100 acre park has a three acre reservoir stocked for fishing, offers trails, history, and during my October visit brilliant Autumn colors.

fishing dock lake trees Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaI headed straight to the lake and onto the fishing dock, where nobody was fishing.  Turned out to be a great place to scope out the lay of the park.  Definitely seeing the yellows of Autumn.

fall trees waterfall Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaPlus the dock provided a view of a waterfall which might be from human constructs of leftover mining equipment.

boulders dam fall Poplar tree hillside clouds Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaI went to the left towards an overlook beyond the actual dam.  Of course, this is a reservoir not a real lake.  More evidence of the mining down stream still high above and out of sight of Lynx Creek in the canyon below.

06 DSC_2522hdrlerw rusty pipe fall cottonwood trees downstream canyon Lynx Crk Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley AZ g-HDR-1-2Also out of sight, except for a steep pitched roof on the left, the Barlow-Massicks house also known as the “Castle”.  I learned more about this after my visit as the road to the house, and on the map, is marked private residence, and I’m not usually prone to trespass.  Thomas Gibson Barlow-Massicks built the three-story home in the 1890s and had many mining claims in the area.

bridge trees Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley Arizona

trout Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaSaw the Chapel trail disappearing uphill but wanted to walk around the lake so with my limited time turned around.  Crossed the long bridge stopping to chat with a few fishermen.  Most of the people seen here were spread along the shoreline fishing, and seemingly catching.  The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the lake with catfish and trout.  A fisherman told me Bass made it to the reservoir down the creek from Lynx Lake.

mining equipment Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaOn my way to the next bridge I see a collection of rusty mining equipment including a stamp mill.

stamp mill Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaEarly miners found gold in the adjacent Bradshaw Mountains and followed Lynx Creek.  Ultimately, a variety of sophisticated gold mining efforts were implemented included extensive hydraulic and dredging operations.  Records show in excess of $100 million worth of gold was removed from the immediate vicinity.  The most notable gold mining effort was made by Thomas Gibson Barlow-Massicks.

King snake Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaAs I continued towards the bridge a family picnicking nearby told me they’d seen a King snake here.  It had hidden when they tried to pet it.  What is wrong with people?  Fortunately I saw it on my return.

Lynx Creek fall trees reflection clouds Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaThe original inhabitants of the area dates as far back as 200 BC.  Known today as the “Prescott Traditional People” they lived along the south side of Lynx Creek between 1050 and 1300 AD and left behind a ruin of more than 30 rooms.  This site was discovered by the white gold seekers on property owned by G. S. Fitzmaurice and now called the Fitzmaurice Ruins.  I didn’t know this while there so have something else to return to for more explorations.

Lynx Creek bouders fall trees church on hill Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley Arizona

light & shadow water leaf Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaFinally made it onto the bridge for a long view of Fain Lake.  And a closer view straight down.

fall trees boulders Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaBut before continuing around the lake I was distracted by the sound of faster moving water upstream so backtracked and began to follow the Lynx Creek Loop trail into the boulders.

boulders waterfall Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaI could have sat here for a long time just listening to the magical flow of water.  Not something I experience often in Arizona.

Chapel of the Valley Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaTime to continue along the Shoreline trail and enjoy the Autumn colors along with this interesting building on the hillside.  I learned later, the Chapel of the Valley was built in 2002 by the Fain family who were also responsible for building Prescott Valley and Fain Park.  According to this article it’s available for special events and open for tours on Sundays.

fall tree lake clouds Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaFain Lake Park first opened to the public in 1997, the land being donated from the Fain family to the citizens of Prescott Valley.  But the park is not yet completed.  The eastern half of the park, when opened, will include a replica 1890s gold town (Massicks), the Fitzmaurice Ruin archeology site, the restored Barlow-Massicks Victorian house and a regional museum.

lake fall trees clouds Fain Lake Park Prescott Valley ArizonaWay more things to explore than I had time for with many reasons to return to Fain Lake Park.  Yet, I’d been hoping for some fall colors and the willows and poplars didn’t disappoint wearing their crowns of gold.

Arizona, Fain Lake Park, Places I've been, Prescott Valley, United States , , 25 Comments

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